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Defending against serious weapons-related criminal charges
In 2013, the Connecticut legislature enhanced the state's gun laws to make them some of the most restrictive in the United States. These laws regulate the purchase, carry, and sale of guns, as well as set out criminal charges related to firearms and other weapons. Most of the weapons-related offenses in Connecticut can be charged as serious felonies and carry harsh penalties including lengthy imprisonment and extensive fines.
In addition to court-imposed penalties, if you are convicted of a charge involving a deadly weapon and released from prison anytime after January 1, 2014, you are required by law to register with the Deadly Weapon Offender Registry maintained by the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). This means you must provide personal information including your name, home address, email address, criminal history, identifying factors, and employment or education information. Following initial registration, you then must visit a police department in person on an annual basis to update any changes in your information.
Because of the potentially severe consequences of weapons charges, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC today for a consultation about regarding your case today at 203-327-1500.
Common charges involving firearms and weapons
Weapons charges can result from stand-alone offenses or as enhancements to other types of criminal charges. Some examples of common stand-alone weapons charges include:
- Carrying a weapon without the proper permit
- Purchasing a weapon without a license
- Possession of a firearm by a person with a felony conviction
- Possession of a firearm with an active restraining order against you
- Possession of a weapon while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Possession of a stolen or unlawful weapon
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm
- Unlawful transportation, manufacture, or sale of firearms
The penalties for all of the above offenses can be serious. Furthermore, if your weapons charge is an enhancement to another charge, such as robbery or a drug crime, you may be facing a mandatory prison sentence if convicted.
The discovery of firearms or weapons may happen in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights, especially in possession cases. An experienced attorney can use any rights violations by law enforcement to exclude evidence of the weapon, which often results in dismissal of your case. There are many other legal defenses to your weapons charges, as well, which an experienced defense attorney can identify and present to the court.
An experienced Connecticut weapons charge defense lawyer can protect your rights
Authorities in Connecticut take any type of weapons charge extremely seriously and aim to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Our attorneys have extensive experience in the legal field and devote their practice to vigorously defending the rights of people accused of criminal offenses. We take a rigorous 360-degree approach to defending the rights of individuals facing Connecticut criminal charges. To schedule a consultation, call Koffsky & Felsen, LLC in Connecticut today at 203-327-1500 .
